Uganda returns to Olympic action on Friday with four of it’s Athletes in action.
At 3pm (EAT), Joshua Cheptegei lines-up for the 5000m final in company of counterparts, Jacob Kiplimo and Oscar Chelimo.
Cheptegei and Kiplimo have another shot at gold at the Tokyo 2020. Both settled for Silver and Bronze, respectively, as they were beaten to 10000m Gold by Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega last Friday.
The duo finished fourth and fifth in heat 2 on Tuesday to make the final and if they manage to deliver medals on Friday, they will become the first Ugandans to win two different medals at the same Olympic games.
Cheptegei is arguably Uganda’s greatest sports personality ever and will have another chance to end the debate once and for all.
Nothing counts more for an athlete like Olympic Gold.
The global long distance icon had to settle for 8th place in the men’s 5000m final in Rio, five years ago with Great Britain’s Mo Farah smiling to Gold.
Cheptegei also the 5000m World record holder eased to the final in a time of 13:30.61, will need to roar with an African heart to deliver Olympic gold, the only missing piece in his glittering career.
Just like his compatriot, Kiplimo who was just 15 years old at the Rio games five years ago, heads into Friday’s final eyeing Gold.
The World half marathon champion has a personal best of 12:48.63 in the 5000m also the 13th all time best.
Kiplimo’s younger brother, Chelimo also eased to the 5000m final on his Olympic debut when he came fourth in Heat 1 with a time of 13:39.07 on Tuesday.
The former world Cross country Bronze medallist will be seeking to cement his name in history books at the Tokyo games.
The Ugandan trio will however have to put their attention on Spain’s Mohammed Katir who won Heat 2 with at of 13:30.10, America’s Paul Chelimo a silver medallist in Rio, Kenyan Nicholas Kipkorir and Canadian duo of Justin Knight and Mohammed Ahmed.
At 3:50pm, Winnie Nanyondo will also be hoping to upset the odds a bag a medal in the Women 1500m.
This is Nanyondo’s final shot at a medal in Tokyo having failed miserable in the 800m earlier in the games.
